Our goal is to continue providing the finest youth group cruises for both performing groups and non performing groups. We are extremely pleased to be working exclusively with Carnival Cruise Lines. http://www.rocktheboat-cruises.com

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We just returned from a Rock The Boat Cruises on Carnival Cruise for our band trip and let me tell you about the experience! As a Director, I was very excited to try something so different!!

When we got onboard, the food started! And it never stopped. You could eat all day and it was all included in the price! The dining room was a wonderful experience and the 24 hour pizza and ice cream was a hit with the students! Our cabins were very comfortable and the Cabin Steward took care of anything we needed!

We went to two ports of call. To see the history, culture and lifestyle of how people live in other countries was an educational experience the student travelers will remember for a long time. We visited a local school classroom and also had time to enjoy the blue waters! We did some shopping at a local bazaar where we purchased local handicrafts. The students had time to interact with some of the locals throughout the day.

Our band performance onboard was fantastic! We were in the main showroom lounge! Many people from the ship attended our performance and commented afterwards what a great job we did! After our performance we attended an educational seminar with Carnival staff about life onboard, the behind-the-scenes of ship life and how to find a career with a major cruise line. The students asked a lot of questions and were intrigued by shipboard life!

Swimming, Table Tennis, Karaoke, scavenger hunt, and a Club designed especially for students are just a small sample of the activities onboard the ship. The Youth Programs for all ages are supervised by Camp Carnival Staff and each student group has their own dedicated area on board. So no matter the age, there is something for everyone!

All in all, this was a relaxing way to travel, the students had all the food they could eat included in the price and we got to visit different cultures and countries. We will be taking home a lifetime of memories! And we got plenty of photos to show our family and friends back home.

For more information on a performance cruise for your band, choir, orchestra or dance ensemble, contact Peak Performance Tours.

Packing for a cruise can be very exciting, you are going on vacation – yes!

But, it can also be a wee bit stressful trying to think of every little thing you might, or might not, need.

Well, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered a list of things you might not think to bring on a cruise. Items you might not have considered as useful, but can make all the difference in space saving and convenience!

Water Bottle. Travel water bottles are great to use around the ship and in port. In public areas, use a provided cup, fill with ice and water then pour into your larger container. Then you don’t have to pay a premium for bottled water while in port or lounging by the pool.

Coffee Mug. Travel coffee mugs are also a good idea as the coffee cups are small in the restaurants. If you’re like me, you might need a few cups to get the day started, so filling your personal travel mug is much more convenient than making multiple trips to the Lido deck.

Pre-Packaged Snacks. Sometimes it’s nice to just have a granola bar, or bag of chips. Bringing pre-packaged snacks is helpful to pack in your bag for days in port, especially if you have small children. Food items must be sealed in their original packaging to be permitted onboard on embarkation day.

Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer. This can be used for just about anything and travels well! Unroll and hang on the bathroom door and use for extra toiletry storage, jewelry, or just for shoes! There is limited storage space in cruise ship cabins, this helps to utilize what you do have. The best size is 19” by 64” long, allowing easy access to the door handle.

Magnetic Hooks or Clips. Most cabins will have metal walls, or a metal door. Hang wet clothes or accessories from magnetic hooks, or clip the daily newsletter with a magnetic refrigerator clip for easy visibility.

Battery-Operated Travel Clock. Most cruise ship staterooms do not have a clock, you’re on vacation time. However, if you like to have an idea if it is morning or night – or would like to take a quick nap before dinner and don’t want to sleep through the night – then a small travel alarm clock is a good idea instead of having to keep your phone out and charged. One that is battery-operated is best as the amount of outlets in the cabin is minimal.

Nightlight. Even if you have the fortune to sail in an ocean view or balcony stateroom, they can get quite dark at night. A small nightlight in the vanity outlet can make a huge difference, less toe-stubbing in the middle of the night. Or, some passengers like to bring small flashlights to use one less precious outlet plug.

Battery-operated iPod Speakers. Music is always a nice travel buddy. It’s nice to listen to your favorite song while sipping a glass of champagne out on the verandah, right? Or rocking out while getting ready for formal nights or playing lullabies for the kiddos during naptime. Just try not to rock out too late and be a nuisance to your neighbors!

Binoculars. Travel binoculars can be small, but make a big difference. You will be cruising the open seas so will have many opportunities to see pods of dolphins, whales or other marine life. Port gazing can also be fun while docked.

Thank You Notes. Seems strange, but you might not realize how much a small note of thanks means to the crew members that have worked so hard to make your vacation a memorable one. You can also give a thank you note to the new friends you’ve made onboard!

Highlighters. Ask your cabin attendant to deliver 2 copies of the daily newsletter, one to highlight and mark all the fun things you want to do the next day and one to keep unscathed for reference.

Travel First Aid Kit. These mini kits are always something handy to have on vacation. Kits can include over the counter medicine, band aids and thermometers.

Shower Cap. Okay, shower cap? Yes. This is a cool travel tip we heard: pack and store your shoes in shower caps to keep them from touching your clean clothes!

Cruise vs Land Package

Top Ten Reasons To Take A Cruise

Cruising offers you the Best Value in a vacation!One price includes just about everything … your cabin or stateroom, meals, activities, entertainment and more … wide Variety of ships and destinations, Fun and Romance, Fabulous Meals, Exotic Cuisine prepared by some of the top chefs of the world, Simplicity, New Horizons, Exotic Ports of Call, Opportunity to meet New Friends, Family Time, Pampering, No Guess Work, Hassle Free Days, Time to Relax, New Cultural Experiences and most importantly vacation Satisfaction!

Whether you choose to cruise Mexico, the Bahamas & Caribbean, Europe, South Pacific, Asia, Hawaii, or the Panama Canal … you will come home with memories that will last a lifetime and will probably book your next cruise before you get off the ship! With over 25 years in the travel industry and traveling all over the world … nothing is sweeter to me than a Cruise!

# 1 VALUE … One price buys your stateroom cabin, fabulous dining & meals, shipboard activities, entertainment and more. No guessing what your vacation will cost in the end. Now that is the ticket … Cruising is a winner!

# 2 FUN & ROMANCE … Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic options available. Couples and Honeymooners will find a cruise to be one of the most romantic vacations ever!

# 3 FABULOUS CUISINE … Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare and specialty dishes featuring exotic ingredients. Most ships even offer old standbys like pizza and ice cream or most ships offer spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional luxurious dining ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery. There are many choices on cruise ships.

# 4 VARIETY … With over 150 distinctive ships, 1800 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do; there is a perfect cruise for you. We suggest that you add pre or post land tours if finances and time permit to make the most out of your vacation. After all, you go all the way to the embarkation port, whether you fly or drive, you might as well see some of the local sights before or after your cruise. We find that we usually want to spend a day or two before the cruise so we are rested and relaxed before boarding the ship and most definitely a few days after the cruise just to wind down a bit before returning home. Then you really feel like you have vacationed. One of the most enlightening cruises ever … cruising through the Panama Canal. One of the most romantic … cruising the South Pacific, Tahiti, Fiji and the Southern Caribbean Islands. A couple of the most rewarding cultural experiences … cruising Europe, the Red Sea and the Nile.

# 5 ACTIVITIES … Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy live music, discos, dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming (gambling) or a quiet evening gazing at the stars. One of the most incredible free experiences we ever had aboard a ship was staying awake all night long, lying out on a lounge chair and watching the sunrise as we entered the Panama Canal. One of the most fun free experiences was being on a cruise while a professional ballroom dance group was aboard and several of us women being asked to dance by some of the professional dancers! One of the funniest experiences ashore was taking a taxi on Martinique and the driver only spoke French, we used sign language to get to and from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Want to know more about this beach just ask us! One of the most financially rewarding experiences aboard a ship was winning $750 from the slot machines while everyone was eating dinner! There is a tip for you!

# 6 SIMPLICITY … Do not come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; an experienced travel agent can handle all of the details. Make sure your travel agent has taken several cruises. Once you are on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid… talk about hassle-free.

# 7 NEW HORIZONS … Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon… and you only have to pack and unpack once! What did I say before ladies, this is the life! In fact, our cabin steward completely unpacked our suitcases, and put my stuff away neatly everyday. I wanted to take him home with me! I loved having someone take care of me for a change!

# 8 PERFECT FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE … Singles, Couples, Honeymooners, Groups and Family vacations. Families love cruising. Children’s programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone. Most all ships have kids club for children from ages 3 and above. Some of the ships have babysitting service available for the special nights like the Captains Dinner. One thing you want to make sure of if you are taking children is that you are booking a ship that offers an excellent children’s program. Although we see this time and again, taking children under the age of 3 isn’t the best choice of vacations. Pushing a stroller from one end of the ship to the other constantly is no fun for Mom or Dad and we would highly suggest a land-based vacation if you have children under 3 years old. Just our opinion but based on years of experience with our own children and watching parents try to navigate the narrow hallways aboard the ships.

# 9 PAMPERING … Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock. This is my favorite reason, pampering … you will feel like Queen for a Day when you cruise. All you have to do is get dressed and show up when you feel like it. No cooking, no cleaning, no phones, no work, nothing to do … but get dressed and leave the rest of life aboard the ship to everyone else. Most women are so busy taking care of everyone else, they find it hard to believe the only thing they have to take care of … is getting dressed! And oh, what fun that is … you can dress up as much as you want … it is the perfect time to get yourself something very special to wear and show it off! Now the Men … they are another story! Although you might find some hesitation at first I have found that most men … after taking their first cruise want to do it over and over again. A cruise eliminates the old standard questions they usually face on vacation and at home! Where do you want to eat? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? On a cruise, all they have to do is get dressed and escort you into the dining room or walk you out to the pool … you get the drift here! Oh, I almost forgot … they don’t have to drive or ask directions either … the Captain takes care of all of that! It is a pampered carefree vacation experience for both men and women.

# 10 SATISFACTION … It is a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience. If after reading, all of the above if you don’t find a reason to take a cruise please let us know and we will find some more reasons for you!

BONUS REASON … Cruise for YOU …You can have the vacation of a lifetime, see the world, unwind, take a walk on the wild side, dance the night away, feast on fabulous cuisine, learn something new, make friends, bond with your family, and steal quiet moments with your spouse. Whatever your heart desires, is yours, when you choose to cruise.

Singles, Honeymooners, Weddings at Sea, Family Reunions, Corporate & Affinity Groups, Special Interest Cruises, Company Meetings & Incentive Groups, Educational Seminars at Sea … There are ships that fit every type of cruiser and we can help find just the right cruise for you! Be sure & read our other guides for more details.

You haven’t lived until you’ve cruised!

You might also find our guides for Cruises vs. Land Vacations Comparison Chart Guide, Cruises Q & A (answers to most frequently asked questions about cruises), First Time Cruiser, Cruise Ship Star Ratings and Cruise Destinations. See all guides by cruisegoddess

Thank you for reading my guide. I hope you found these top ten reasons to cruise to be helpful & informative … If so, please click the YES button below. If not, please be so kind as you drop us a line and let us know what we can do to improve this guide, keeping in mind that this is not our Cruise Q & A guide, this is just some of the top reasons to choose a cruise over a land based vacation!.

Whether you wish to experience the thrill of performing onboard a beautiful ship from the fleet of the “Largest #Cruise Line in the World” or just enjoy the Carnival Cruise Lines “Fun Ship” experience, our expert “Rock the Boat” cruise representatives will work with your group leader to insure that your cruise lives up to all your expectations.